Oscillator circuit arrangement



Patented Mar. 6, 1951 2,544,017 osciLLA'roa CIRCUIT ARRANGEMENT Roman Golicke, Finkebkrug-Osthavelland, Germany; vested-in the Attorney General of the United States Application March 27, 1946, Serial No. 657,417 In GermanyrOctober 7, 1939 Section l, Public Law 690, August 8, 1946 Patent expires October 7, 1959 4 claims. (el. 25o-s6) advantages over the conventional arrangements predicated upon tuning by the aid of inductances 2 or`r excluding effect of an oscillation or tuned circuit.

In the case of control action based upon current-distribution two different feed-back schemes are practicable according to whether the potential required for maintenance of the oscillation is derived from a positive tube electrode located and capacities. In the rst place, where tuning' is effected with resistances and condensers the frequency range or band can be enlarged considerably. Another merit of such a schemeis that tuning in decade steps is feasible and that the feed-back factor is kept constant. In generators comprising resistance-capacity tuning means as known in the art very exacting demands are imposed on the tube' characteristic compared with a generator having a tuned oscillatory circuit. Selectance is rather limited; hence, the attempt to reduce the noise factor due to nonlinear harmonic distortion, and to maintain a high frequency stability is attended with great practical difficulties. To minimize the nonlinear harmonic distortion, rectilinear operation of the tube must be achieved to a large degree. To assure adequate frequency stability the properties of the tube must, as far as feasible, ,be independent of -the working voltages and other variable factors.

These drawbacks in a circuit organization as here disclosed which is predicated upon the use of resistances and condensers for frequency control are obviated by using a current-limited multi-grid type of tube with oscillatory circuit rather than a voltage-limited regenerative circuit organization (audion circuit scheme) operating with grid current.

In the arrangement here disclosed the operating point is preferably placed in the steepest point of a current-distribution characteristic with double bend. The drive range may extend over a portion of the characteristic inside the region of negative grid potentials. Owing to the ab.. sence of grid current flow, action on the frequency is substantially reduced. Other factors liable to affect frequencyl stability may be compensated and rendered harmless by means of stabilizing and compensator steps in the tube to a large extent. Since the grid drive covers only the practically straight portion of the characteristic in the neighborhood of the reversal point.

distortions will be .Small @v8.1.1 Without the filter resistances.

below or above the control grid. The feed-back potential for maintaining oscillations, however, is preferablyobtained from a positive tube electrode which, looking from the cathode, is mounted ahead of the control grid. An arrangement of this kind requires circuits that are particularly simple inasmuch as there is no need for phase reversal in the feed-back potential. In fact, frequency regulation or tuning is accomplishable in this case by means of two condensers and two In lieu of two resistances and two condensers, the frequency governing network or mesh could comprise also of a greater number of condensers and resistances.

For tuning it is advantageous to alter simultaneously the two frequency-determining condenser or the two frequency-determining resistances. If the tuning is effected only by the aid of condensers, this plan offers the advantage that in this way the impedance of the frequencygoverning elements for the ensuing frequency remains constant. Hence, the regeneration factor becomes perfectly independent of the frequency. The condensers could consist of two synchronizedganged condensers of the kind customarily used in radio apparatus.

Frequency tuning, however, is feasible also by the aid of the resistances. It is, moreover, possible to alter both the resistances as well as the condensers. In varying the resistances, however, there results also a change in the impedances of the tuning part. Hence, the impedance is preferably chosen high in contrast to the working resistance inorder that conditions may be made so that the action upon the feed-back factor becomes as low as possible. In order to remove also the last trace of action upon the feed-back factor, it is advantageous not to alter the resistances by the fsame factor, but rather in such a way that when the resistance values are lower,

'the feedback factor, that is, the ratio of the partial potentials, is'raised.

determine the frequency could also consist of capacities and resistances in the form of tubes or of other circuit elements. Thus, for instance, one or two of vthe condensers could consist of the capacity controlled by way of the slope (mutual conductance) of a type of tube having a high internal resistance. It is also possible to use hot-conductors (resistances with a negative temperature coefficient) for the resistances such as indirectly heated resistances subject to remote electrical control. Known regulators of this type offer the advantage of a relatively wide range of regulation. It is thus feasible to push the tuning up to 1:100 and over with continuous variation ratio.

In an arrangement as here disclosed it is an easy matter to vary the amplitude by regulating the slope or mutual conductance of the tube. It becomes thus possible to operate safely with reduced grid drive, that is, .to make the non-linear harmonic distortion factor low. What is presupposed to this end is that the tuning point is placed in the reversal point of the characteristic, this resulting in a voltage maximum and a minimum distortion factor. However, it would `be useless to .carry the reduction `of the distortions in generators by extremely limited drive range Very -far for the reason that, .since the limitation venient, contradistinct from what is true of voltage-limited circuit organizations such as the audion type. In the case of the spill-over generator it is also possible to supply as the control alternating potential a frequency which is a multiple or a submultiple of the frequency to which the circuit organization is tuned. The arrangement may thus be used for frequency division or frequency multiplication.

Where the circuit organization of the invention is used to operate as a Wave generator it is also possible to feed the grid which is adjacent to the cathode al modulation potential in order to obtain a modulated wave generator.

The invention will now be explained more fully by reference to the appended drawing in which 'Figure l shows an exemplified embodiment of the circuit arrangement as here disclosed, and

Fig. 2 shows 'a modified circuit arrangement.

Referring .to Fig.y 1, the multi-grid .tube l in .this instance isfurnished with four grids C11-G4. The potential which is required to sustain the oscillations is derived from the accelerator grid G2 which ismounted `ahead of (or below) 'the conis very softf this means great sensi-tiveness to circuit noise and outer .stray potentials. However, such a sensitive and critical adjustment is `desirable where the circuit organization is to be used for a selective amplifier (feed-back `filter).

For amplitude regulation a voltage maybe im- `pressed upon a grid interposed between the accelerator ygrid pertaining to the feed-back circuit and the cathode which serves to `change the slope (amplitude). For automatic stabilization of the output amplitude, the vregulator or control potential impressed upon the grid adjacent to the cathode may be derived or tapped from the' -output potential. The Voutput potential, 4or a part thereof may be rectified by rectiers of the dry -or oxide or Westector type, the ensuing rectified potential serving for regulation or con-trol as stated. By automatic amplitude regulation it is possible to still more -enlarge the frequency range inasmuch as such :alterations of the feed-.back factor as have been occasioned-by frequency tuning are eliminated. Moreover, amplitude variations and fluctuations .can be minimized lowing to the fact that coarse compensation or equalization of 'the feed-back factor is secured by the choice of appropriate dimensions `for the frequency-governing .resistances The circuit organization of this invention may operate both asa wave generator (oscillator.) as well as act as a selective amplifier (feed-back filter). In this latter instance the grid `closes-t to the .cathode is fed `with a control alternating potential to which nthe frequency-determining .resistances Yand condensers are tuned. Now, `according to whether the feed-back factor is proportioned so that natural oscillations have a chance :to .build up .or whether the feed-back is pushed only to a point Where oscillations will not yet vbe generated, there .results agenerator or a regenerative amplifier. The ltransit-ion .or change from one state to the other vWill become so much more gentle, the more exactly the operating point has been placed just in the reversal of the characteristic. VBy suitable adjustment of the operating point, it is thus 'feasible in currentlimited regenerative arrangements 'to make the manipulation of the feed-back means very con- .trol grid G3. The alternating potentials which are set up across .the working resistance R1 .are imparted .by way of the frequency-determining network or mesh comprising resistances R2 and Rs .and condensers C2 .and C3 to the grid 3. The Asaid network conducts alternating potentials .of a denite frequency with zero phase angle and maximum amplitude to the control grid Gs. For the natural frequency there holds the following relation:

27|V R2'R3'C2'C3 while the feed-back rfactor is a function of the ratio of the alternating rpotentials U1 (between grid 3 and-cathode) and U2 (between grid 2 and grid 3), thus:

.In .order that :in frequency tuning the feed-back factor may not be effected through the ratio of the partial potentials, it will be preferable to vary the .two .condensers .C2 and C3 .or the two resistances R2, R3 simultaneously. If tuning is effected only by the aid of the condensers then the .impedance of the elements which govern the frequency will -stay yconstant for the ensuing frequency. Asa result the feed-back factor in case .of variation of the condensers, .stays vperfectly independent of the frequency. Where two-gang condensers of the kind customary in broadcast work are employed, there results a logarithmic frequency curve with a ratio of variation of around 117.5.

In case of frequency Variation through the resistances R2 and R3 the impedance of the tuning means 'is variable. However, in order to minimize the action upon the feed-back factor it is expedient to make the same high compared to the 'working `resistance R1. Whatever .action upon the feed-backmav remaincan be eliminated by varying 4vthe resistances Rz 'and R3 not 'by the 'same ifa'ctor, but rather in `such fashion that in the presence of small resistance values the vratio of the Vpartial potential as above indicated U11Uz :is somewhat :greater with the consequence that the Ifeed-back becomes somewhat greater.

The vgrid G1 is limpressed :with .a negative potential. By variation :of 'this 'potential it :ls -possible to act upon the slope or mutual conductance i auger? 5 of the tube and thus the output amplitude. The load circuit may be coupled with'the' circuit organization by the aid of a transformer or a resistance-condenser assembly comprising resistance 2 and condenser 3.

Fig. 2 shows an exemplified embodiment of a circuit organization according to the invention in which the tuning is subject to electrical control action and which comprises automatic amplitude regulation. For electrical control of the tuning are here used hot-conductors such as those Vof the type hereinbefore mentioned. The pilot or control potential consists hereof a'voltage S impressed across the terminals 4 and 5. Resistances R2 and R3 consist of thermal regulator resistances (Urdox regulators). Synchronization of the two regulator resistances is insured by paralleling f their heater wires 6 and 1. In order to make the feed-back factor as free from frequency effects as feasible, the potential ratio UizUz as hereinbefore described is made a function of the value of the regulator resistances. The feed-back factor at the lower end of the frequency band is reduced by a high-ohm resistance R1 connected in parallel relation to the regulator R2, while at the upper end it is raised by a series resistance R5. the fixed resistance Re in series with the heater wire 5, the influence of the said resistance Re growing with growth of heating current. By choosing suitable values for the resistances R4, R and Re it will then be feasible to secure a roughly constant output potential, without amplitude regulation, for frequency changes of an order of magnitude 1:10.

In the circuit organization shown in Fig; 2 recourse is had to amplitude regulation or limita- Vtion which works upon the grid Gr of tube I being adjacent to the cathode. The output potential Us arising across the terminals 8 and 9 is rectified by means of a rectier arrangement consisting of the two Westectors I0 and Il.' The ensuing regulator potential is impressed (with its negative pole) upon the first grid G1 of the oscillator tube. By Virtue of the automatic amplitude regulation, conditions are made so that a large frequency band (say, 1:100) may be covered in a continuous way. The amplitude fluctuations are slight, particularly if the values of the resistances R4, R5 and Rs are suitably chosen so as to insure a course equalization of the feed-back factor. By regulator circuits of still greater slope the constancy of the output potential may be enhanced still further.

In order that large frequency ranges or bands may be covered it will be found advantageous to provide ways and means for waveband switching, and for this purpose could be used the two non-continuously variable frequency-governing elements. In the case of embodiment Fig. l these are the resistances R2 and Ra'and in the embodiment Fig. 2 the condensers` C2 and C3. Because of ythe straight-line dependence of the frequency, this insures an extremely great frequency band. As has been ascertained by practical tests it is possible by the aid of resistances of 3,000 ohms to 3 megohms and condensers ranging in size between 100 micromicrofarad and l0 microfarad in other words, wholly customary sizes, a frequency band extending all the way from around .05 C. P. S. up to 500 kc. The frequency tuning could also be in stages of decade units.

In arrangements comprising automatic amplitude or volume control means care must be taken Another way of equalizing is by the aid of4 regulator voltage.

so that no additional distortion of any appreciable size will be introduced by the rectiiiers which are employed for the production of the For instance, the rectiers I0 and Il shown in the arrangement Fig. 2, with a view to avoiding additional distortions, may be connected with a low-ohm output winding, while being terminated .high-ohm. In regenerative circuit organizations which are fed from the accelerator grid in which the anode or plate 'is the output electrode, the feed-back factor is a function of the working resistance at the plate end. This fact is ascribable to a loss of slope of the characteristics of the second grid occasioned by an increase of the plate resistance. However, the effect upon the slope is but small provided that a screen-grid is placed ahead of the plate, as is true, for instance, of hexodes, with the result that the transparency or penetration of the plate upon the current-distribution control is diminished. This dependence upon the load manifests itself as follows:

In the presence of low values of the load resistance the voltage is proportional to the working resistance since only low alternating potentials arise at the plate, and these produce no appreciable reactions upon the distribution of the current. But as the resistance grows these alternating potential become higher, and because of the fact that their reactions are thus greater, they cause the feed-back to be reduced, and this may be driven t0 a point where the oscillations are caused to discontinue. Inside certain limits it will thus become feasible to secure an output potential which is unaffected by the load, without automatic volume or amplitude control being used. In this case and to that end the circuit organization is so dimensioned that maximum output potential arises in the presence of a mean load. The reactions of output load upon frequency are lessened by the screen grid mounted ahead of the plate. The reactions can be still further reduced by neutralizing arrangements.

I claim:

1. A resistance-capacity tuned oscillator circuit arrangement comprising an electron discharge device having a cathode and anode, an output circuit connected between the cathode and anode, and said device having a plurality of grids including two which cooperate with the cathode to produce oscillations, one of-said two being located between the other of said two and the cathode, a direct current source and intermediate taps, connections between said source for supplying positive and negative potentials to said anode and cathode respectively, connections between said source and said two grids for supplying to said one grid a relatively high and to the other a relatively low direct current potential, the relatively high potential supplied to the one grid being intermediate the plate and cathode potentials and each of said last named connections including a resistance, a connection between said two grids, consisting of a capacitor and a resistance of substantial value in series with one another, a capacitor forming a direct connection between the other of said two grids and the cathode, a third grid between said one grid and the cathode and connections for supplying to said third grid a potential negative to the cathode.

' 2. The oscillator set forth in claim l wherein means is provided for varying the frequency of the oscillations produced, said means consisting 3. The oscillator set forth .in claim 1 wherein means is provided for varying the frequency of the oscillations produced said means consisting of means for simultaneously varying the resistance in the connection between the source and said other grid and the resistance in the connection between said two grids.

4. The oscillator circuit arrangement as claimed in claim 1 wherein there is provided a screen grid between said other grid and said plate with connections to said source for supplying said screen -grid a potential intermediate the REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the le of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number potential of said other grid and plate, whereby 15 Number changes in frequency under load variations are reduced.

ROMAN GOLICKE.

Name Date Van Der Pol et al. Dec. 17, 1935 Pooh et al. Mar. 1, 1939 Young Sept. 12, 1939 Manatt July 22, 1941 Golicke Aug. 11, 1942 Artzt June 29, 1948 FOREIGN PATENTS Country Date Great Britain Aug. 2, 1940 

